High-explosive shell and fuse



UNITED STATES PATENT IOFFICE.

IIAEEIS I). I-IUEST, or SUMMIT, MISSISSIPPI.

HIGH-EXPLOSIVE SHELL A-D FUSE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 582,063, dated Maya, i897.

Application led June 10, 1896 To @ZZ whom it may conc-6772,: A

Be it known thatI l, HARRIS P. l-IURsT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Summit, in the county of Pike and State of Mississippi, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in High-Explosive Shells and Fuses; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as Will enable others skilled in the art to Which it appertains to 2 make and use the same.

Aso charge the shell as to redpce thedanger of explosion by shock; to theiininimum, and, second, to arrange a fuse toeXplode and detonate thesame only when ythe shell has left the gun, and then by impact; but a modification with the time-fuse arrangement can be added, if desired, without altering the general design.

Referring to the drawings accompanying this description and specification, Figure 1 represents a longitudinal section of the shell charged and fused. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of one of the subdivided explosiveholding safety racks or boxes shown in Fig. 1.- Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal. section View of the fuse shown in Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a cross-section of Fig. 4 on line a: Fig. Gis a modification of Fig. 2. Figs. 7 and 8 are modifications of Fig. l.

Reference-letters are used to designate the various part-s.

The body of the shell A may be of any de sired forni and of any suitable material, as steel. The explosive-chamber may be of various shapes and may be provided with an asbestos, felt, Wax, or other suitable liner B.

lVhen the shell is charged with an explosive packed in the safety-racks C, an elastic-or unyielding cushion D, which may be au eX- plosive, is pla-ced at thetop and bottom of the V shell-cavity, and elastic or nnyielding `covers ,a a a, which may be of explosive material, are

placed between each of the racks C, cover the Seriana 595,010. ino modem explosive in the open rack C, and are arranged so as to take u p and diminish shock When the shell is red.

The cushions and coversmay have a-fusel hole through the center and be made of any suitable material.

The racks C may be made of metal or other suitable material of many forms, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and G. They maybe called'minverted saucers, either round or octagonal, (see dotted lines, Fig. 2,) the lat-ter form probably preferable, as it Would prevent rotary motion when desired Within the shell when it is iired froma rifled gun. Each of these racks may have a central fuse-hole b, and the raised neck or inner Wall c around4 this opening is providedwith holes orchannels d. The outer edge of the'rack has a rim c of equal height with the central neck or Wall c, ande'xtending from neck or Wall c to rim c' are sectional partitions e e `e, and from partitions e e e ex- -tend other partitions ee e', and across partitions e' e e are additional partitions e" e, and through each of these artitions are holder every subdivision of the racks is in communication with every otherisrrbdivision, `so that when one is exploded or detonated all vill explode or detonate.

The bottom of the` rack C and the covers lor aa may have perforations d in them over and under each of the subdivisions, so as to make every compartment within the Series of racks or holderssubject to explosion or detonation by the explosion or detonation-of the explosive in any one compartment Of any one of the series of racks in the shell.

When the shell is packed, each of the racks should iit snug, .ahd the shape shown, With the various partitions, give great strength and prevents the crushing of any one or any part of one of the racks when fired, making the shell proof against explosion from shock. The incline of the racksmay be of any degree, and they may be inverted in loading, as shown in Fig. S, ,their inner necks or walls loo forming, if desired,a continuous tube through f the shell, or the racks may be supported on a central tube or rod, (shown in Fig, 8, dotted lines,) and left freeto rotate thereon when i fired. l

The shell has integral withit a subcaliber rear extension E and is loaded from the front with the head of the shell screwed on, Fig. 8,

screw-plug or flange on the forward end of' the vextension-piece and on the head of the'v shell to prevent the iniiow of gas when the` shell is fired from the gun.

The rear extension E of the shell may be of full or sub caliber and has a hole or fuse-- channel F through its center, in some cases from end to end. This hole or fuse-channel may have an asbestos, felt, or wax or other liner B', Fig. 8. channel should be about the same as the fusehole b in the explosive-racks G. The rear of this fuse-channel may be closed by a cap or screw-plug G. .Vhen the-shell is ready to be placed inthe gun, the plug G is removed and the fuse H is inserted and the plug replaced.-

It is the intention to keep the fuse separate from the shell until the latter is ready to be g placed in the gun for firing.

The fuse II is tubular or solid and -is prevented from forward motion'by the pin m and fuom rearward motion by the coiled wire fn, which may be attached to the rear end of the fuse or be separate from it.

. 1When the fuse and coiled wire are separate, as shown in Fig. l,`a rod runs backward from the fuse H, and has a head which snugly fits the fused channel O, and has the coiled wire n attached to it. This head constitutes a follower or tamping device at `the rea-r of ,the fuse, thereby giving weight to the latter and insuring detonation; `alsvo, the rear head tof theA fuse performsthe same function.

When the shell isfired, the coiled wire is compressed and takes up the shock on the fuse, which may be composed of any suitablev material to snit the particular explosive used in the shell. Preferably the wire ,should be uutempered, and when cmpressed remain so, leaving the fuse at'the farthest point possible irom the explosive-chamber'of the shell.

The fuse could be attached to the wire and the wire to the plug G, and this would hold it in position, or other means, such as friction, could be used to have the fuse remain at the rear end of its channel, when thrown there by the shock in firing, until the shell strikes, when the shock of impact, Whether onwater, land, or the deck or side of a ves-v sel, will cause the fuse to slide quickly forward through its channel, the forward end I ,of its case shearing off the pin m and then passing unobstructed into the center of the shell. The cap o is exploded when the fusehead brings up against the fixed striker 19 in` the forward portion of the shell, the/'cap o setting off the fuse material and this material exploding or detonating the explosive ar- The diameter of the fuse-l ran ged in the racks or a rranged in any other form in the shell-cavity..

Other crushable material besides untempered metal may be used to take up the rear.- ward play of the fuse.

The central idea is to produce a safe shell and place the fuse at a harmless distance at all times except when it is intended the shell'shall explode at, on, or in the target. This is accomplished by using the many-compartment racks and putting the fuse'in the rear extension, where if from any cause it exploded prematurely it would do no damage, as the fuse would not contain explosive material enough and'would be too remote from the explosive in the shell to explode or detonate the latter explosive, it being the intention to use a fuse that must be in actual ber to explode or-detonate it.

Fig. 4 illustrates the fuse intended to detonate wet guncotton, and it 4is composed ot' disks r r r, of dry guncotton, four notches out into the outer edge of.- each, and at buttons r' r f1, of metal or some other suitable material slightly larger in diameter than thc circle of notched portion of the disks, are placed between'each` disk, and four strips s of metal or hard .wood or other material, with teeth or recesses on the inner side, are placed lengthwise of a column of disks and-buttonsV alternately placed, the teeth grasping the buttons and preventing the motion, and the strips s fitting in the notches so as to form around bar, and the end secured .by any desired means. I show nuts or heads t, slightly larger in diameter than the body of the fuse, screwedon. This would keep the disks just off the sides of the fuse-channel and prevent explo sion from'friction, and the teeth on the strips IOC hold each button in its pl'ace and each disk of guncotton is insured from beingA crushed when fired. o

I have shown a cartridge-case u of the usual order with several primers or caps o in the head and held in the fuse by ring o, screwed into position. T he forward end of fuse may have a knife-edge, and as dotted lines indicate the firing-striker p may be carried by the fuse, and any length of striker may be used, as is shown in dotted lines of striker Fig. 1. In case u may be gunp'owder, fulniinate of mercury, or any other detonator.- A channel is shown .through center of fuse in Fig. 4 and a IIO primer or deto'nat'ormay extend the full length l of this channel, as indicated by dotted lines in said Fig. 4, only a portion of the rod or primer beingillustrated. Fig. 5, on the line y y, shows disks and holding-stri ps on a line of Fig. 4. A

The case u, containing the primer or fulminate with cap o, may be attached to orput in place of striker pin the head of the shellchamber, dotted lines, Fig. 8, and there be free and remote from the' detonator, giving addition al security against premature explosion or detonation. In said Fig. 8, 11 indicates where the striker would. be if the prim er were not used.

A cover K, of non-eonductor-of-heat mate- `rial,'may be placed over or in the rear extension or fuse portion ofthe shell. A box or tank L, filled withwater, oil, or other cooling or `lubricating material, may envelop or be placed against the rear portion of the shell,

as shown in dotted lines, Fig. l.. Thebox or tank would be ruptured,crushed, or squeezed when the shell is. fired and the contents of tank forced rapidly'through numerous slits may carry the sabot or rotating band, double dotted lines, Fig. l.

Various means can be used to cause alu-bricating material to spread itself ywhen the gun is fired over the walls of the barrel in advance of the travel of the friction-'producing portion of the projectile.

The rear extension4 of .the shell may carry the sabot or rotating band, Fig. 8, dotted lines.

In Fig-7 the rear extension of the projectile is charged with an explosive, which may be a fluid, that on impact of the shell-will break or displace the glass or other partition M, (also shownin Fig. 1,) and the fluid being of such a character that it will mix with and explode or detonate the explosive in the forward compartment of the shell. T he idea is the same as previously described and illustrated-viz., to separate the explosive and itsdetonator and the detonator and its primer when necessary by placing one in the shell and the other in the rear extension of the shell, remote from the bursting charge in the shell.

In some cases a iiuidv may be used in the fuse-channel -and secured by glass or other materiahas a partition M, dotted lines, Fig. l.

A sliding or telescopic fuse may be put-in nose-piece, dotted lines, Fig. 8, of shell.'

A gas-check N on rear extension, Fig. l, is used when fired from double-charge guns or cartridges.

Itis understood that the various shells in use may be arranged as heretofore described, using any desired material in construction and making use ofany of the well-known primers, detonators, and high explosives.

Many modifications may be made, as is apparent, without departing from the letter,

scope, and intent of my invention.

I am awa-re that it has been proposed to construct a shell with a hole in its front end,

'in which hole is to be placed a fuse-carrier needed.

applied to the rear of the shell, is to make such provision as in ease Aof premature exf plosion of the detonator the detonator-carrier Awill be separated from the shell without exploding the main charge. I claim.v l. The combination with a fuse charge, of a tube therefor, which is strengthened or reinforced, and left relatively weaker at its rear en d, substantially asset forth. 2. A fuse-tube adapted to lcarry a fuse chargein its'rear end andreinforced in advance of the normal position of said fuse charge, substantially as set forth.

The prime objectof my invention, which is 3. The combination with a shell, of a fusetube within the same, and a reinforcement in'advance of the rear end of said tube and between the saine' and the body of the shell, substantially as set forth.

vance of its rear end with a closing-base for the shell adapted to reinforce said tube, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with ashell, and af us`etube within the same, of a fuse .charge in said tube andf adapted to move longitudinally within the same, and a follower or tamping device at the rear of said charge and adapted to move forward with the same, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination .with a shelly having a space or chamber for an explosive charge, of a fuse-tube, the tube portion of which extends body composed entirely of d'etonative -material free to move longitudinally rearwardly in forward into said cha1nber,and a plungerl 4. A fuse-tube for shells provided in ad- ICO from without the charge-chamber and shell ref,A

IIO

the guide by the inertia of the material to prevent immediate detonation f? that of the explosive charge upon the striking ef the shell, as set forth.

8. In a shell, a closed tube extending from its base toward its end, a holder of thin material to contain a plunger-body composed of detonative material mounted in said tube and free to move longitudinally in the tube by the inertia of the material to prevent immediate detonation and rupture of the tube upon the striking of theshell, and a shear-pin normally dinal movement, as set forth.

holding the holder against forward longitib' 9.- In a hollow shell, a guide-tube extend- Y inglongitudinally through the chamber of the shell, a holder for a mass of detonative'material supported loosely at the rear of the tube and independent of the rotation of the shell /and movable in the tube by the inertia of the l material -to prevent inmediate detonation,

substantially as described.'

13. A vhigh-explosive projectile charged with separate and independent subdivided racks carrying' the explosive and surrounded by the shell-liner, substantially as described.

v14. A shell having a longitudinal channel through its charge, a fuse in said channel and at the rear thereof, a non-elastic coiled Wire orcushion, and a striker or primer forward of said fuse, substantially as described.

15. A projectile `for high explosives vprovided with a fuse or detonator, said detonator composed of a series of disks held in place against motion, substantially as described.v

16. A projectile for high explosives provided with a fuse orvdetonator, said detonator composed of a series of dry-guncotton wafers or disks held in place against motion, subst-anvtially as described. j,

17. A shell provided with a subcaliber rear extension; a lubricant-casing surrounding such extension and a channel extending from the inside of the casing to the outside of the shell, as set forth. l

l 18. A projectile having arear extensionbody thereon., said extension carryiu th f use, or detonator, for the charge which is forward in the projectile, substantially as described.

I 19. A projectilehaving a rear extensionbody thereon, said extension having therein a longitudinal -channel in which is carried a detonator or fuse,l substantially asdescribed.l

20. A high-explosive projectile having a rear extension-body thereon, said extensionbody carrying the' fuse or detonator for the explosi ve which is forward thereof, and means to separate detonator and explosive until fired, substantially as described.

21. A projectile having a longitudinal fused channel, a removable plug clcsin g said channel, and a fuse and a fuse-stop therein, substantially asd'escribed.

22. In combination with the body of a shell aseries of subdividedexplosive-holdin g racks and buers or cushions interposed between and surrounding the same, substantially as described. l

23. A high explosive projectile charged with separate and independent high-explosive subdivided racks, surrounded by a cush# ion or lining, substantially as described.

24. A high-explosive projectile having itscharge-carrier composed of a series of superposed subdivided interc'omniunicating racks,

substantially as described.

25. A high-explosive projectile having its charge-carrier composed of a series of separate and independent superposed racks centrally apertured to form a fuseway, substantially as described.

26. .A high-explosive shell in combination with the charged section longitudinally apertured for a 'sliding fuse, a rearward extension correspondingly apertured, and a fran gible partition separating the sectipns of the fuseway, substantially as described.

27. A charge-rack for high-explosive pro-l jectileconsisting of a disk having upon its face aseries of open cells communicating with each other, substantially as described.

28. A charge-rack for high-explosive projectile consisting of adiskliaving a series of l iianges projecting from its face and forming cells and a central passage said flanges apertured to afford communication to and between the cells, substantially as described.

29. A high-explosive projectile having its charge-carrier centrally supported therein permitting rotation of the carrier within said projectile when fired, substantially as described.

30'. A high-explosive projectile having its v detonator and primer remote from eachother until fired, substantially as described.

lIn testimony whereof I affix my si .i;natureV in presence of two witnesses. y

HARRIS I. I-IURST.

lVituesscs': A

/ 11. L. DURAND,

J. GREGORY. 

